Apparatus for forming multicomponent fibers



March 24, 1970 R. P. DOUGLAS. JR; ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS 6 Sheets-Sheetl Filed Jan. 5, 1963 INVENTORS Robert P. Douglas Jr. BY Frank N. Tonnies ATTORNEY March 24, 1970 p, DOUGLAS, JR ET AL 3,501,805

APPARATUS FOR FORMING MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS Filed Jan. 5, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. Robert P. Douglas Jr.

Frank N. Tonnies A T TOR/VE Y March 24, 1970 DOUGLAS, JR" ET AL 3,501,805

APPARATUS FOR FORMING MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS Filed Jan. 5, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS.

Robert P. Douglas Jr.

Frank N. Tonnies BY ATTORNEY March 24, 1970 DOUGLAS, JR" ET AL 3,501,805

APPARATUS FOR FORMING MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS Filed Jan. 5, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 4 umu ii""""iii I N mi I ..l|ll|l| |m Fig- INVENTORS.

Robert P. Douglas Jr.

A TTORNE Y March 24, 1970 p, DOUGLAS, JR" ET AL 3,501,805

APPARATUS FOR FORMING MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS Filed Jan. 5, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 i iiii m l "Hum 45 1-. jil iiip i "Uni" iiinimilu lmiii Fig I INVENTORS.

, Robert P. Douglas Jr.

BY Frank N. Tonnies A T TORNE Y March 24, 1970 p, DOUGLAS, JR" ET AL 3,501,805

APPARATUS FOR FORMING MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS Filed Jan. 5, 1963 e Sheets-Sheet e INVENTORS. Robert P. Douglas Jr.

Frank N. Tonnies A T TOR/V5 Y United States Patent Ofice 3,501,805 Patented Mar. 24, 1970 Int. Cl. D0141 3/00 US. Cl. 188 7 Claims This invention relates to apparatus for spinning fibers, and more particularly, to apparatus for spinning multicomponent fibers.

It is known to produce fibers by processes wherein a plurality of spinning solutions are extruded through a common orifice either simultaneously or sequentially to produce special effects. For many purposes these special effect fibers are highly desirable but are economically not competitive with ordinary fibers due, in part, to the high costs and low productivity per spinning position of the known equipment necessary to perform such processes.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for extruding a plurality, and more specifically, two different spinning solutions through common orifices of a multiorifice spinnerette.

It is another object of this invention to provide economical and easily fabricated distribution means for distributing each of such spinning solutions to each of a relatively large number of orifices in a single spinnerette.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such apparatus in such form as to permit the carrying out of the known processes of spinning multicomponent fibers where such apparatus may be constructed inexpensively and is adaptable for use in spinning tows comprising large numbers of filaments.

In accordance with this invention a novel spinnerette assembly is provided comprising a plurality of plates secured together to form a stack. Through such stack a plurality of passageways is provided by similarly posiitoned orifices through each plate. Such passageways may be considered as belonging to two groups, a first group for one spinning solution and a second group for a second spinning solution. In this stack, a first group of plates is provided with openings connecting such first group of passageways to a fiat surface of the stack, and a second group of plates is provided with openings connecting such second group of passageways to the same flat surface of the stack. These first and second plates are separated from each other by a third type of plate which is slightly recessed adjacent the same fiat surface of the stack. In some instances, it may be desirable to have a fourth plate isolating each subgroup of a single first plate, a single second plate, and a single third plate from adjacent subgroups. The afore-described spin dope distribution assembly is used with a spinnerette placed against such fiat surface of the stack. The spinnerette is provided with a plurality of orifices disposed in a plurality of parallel rows and is matched with its coacting stack so that each row of orifices in the spinnerette lies directly over the recess in each such third plate.

With such unit, multicom-ponent fibers may be spun in either of two fashions. For preparing crimped fibers simultaneous extrusion of a pair of spin dopes through the two groups of passageways, through the openings in the first plates and the second plates respectively to the recesses in the third plates, and simultaneously through the orifices into a coagulating medium can be performed. For other special effects wherein alternate lengths of different materials are desired alternate extrusion of a first spin dope through the first group of passageways, the openings in the first plates, the recesses in the third plates, and the orifices may be alternated with extrusion of a second spin dope through the second group of passageways, the openings in the second plates, the recesses in the third plates, and through the orifices.

For a clearer and more detailed understanding of this invention particularly with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, reference may be had to the following description read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the spin dope distribution assembly;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the stack shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the complete spinnerette assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line IVIV of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line VV of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of a stack similar to that in FIGURE 1 but illustrating a different arrangement of plates within such stack.

Referring next to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a spin dope distribution assembly 11 in the form of a stack of plates having a generally flat, though recessed, surface facing uppermost in FIGURE 1. This stack is comprised of a plurality of plates, which will be described hereinafter, secured together between a pair of end plates 13, 14 by means of a plurality of bolts 15. End plate 13 is provided with four orifices 17, 18, 17, and 18 which, as will be explained later, are used to introduce spin dope into the spin dope distribution assembly 11.

End plate 14 is generally similar to end plate 13 except that orifices 17 and 18 are not provided therein.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, the stack of plates is composed of a plurality of different plates having different functions arranged in a definite sequence. Each of these plates is provided with three holes 20 appropriately positioned which line up in the stack assembly with the corresponding holes in end plates 13 and 14 and through which bolts 15 pass. Additionally, each plate is provided with orifices 17, 18, 17, and 18 which, when the plates are assembled in the form of a stack, line up with the corresponding openings 17, 18, 17, and 18 in end plate 13 to provide four spin dope passageways leading through the stack from end plate 13 to the last plate prior to end plate 14.

Adjacent end plate 13 in the stack, there is a first plate 22 which is provided with openings 23, 23 leading from orifices 18, 18 upward to the generally fiat upper surface of the spin dope distribution assembly 11. Thus, first plate 22 provides a pathway for spin dope from the first group of pasageways 18, 18 through openings 23, 23- to the surface of the stack. Note that orifices 17, 17 are isolated from openings 23, 23 and therefore there is no communication by way of first plate 22 between the second group of passageways 17, 17 and the surface of distribution assembly 11.

Temporarily skipping the next plate in the stack, we find that the plate after it is a second plate 25 which, preferably, may be the mirror image of first plate 22 and, as such, may be manufactured as a plate identical with first plate 22 but inserted into the stack in a reversed position. Second plate 25 is provided with openings 26, 26 which communicate between orifices 17, 17 and the same surface of the distribution assembly 11 as do openings 23 in plate 22. Note that orifices 18, 18 in plate 25 are isolated from openings 26, 26. Thus, second plate 25 provides a pathway for spin dope between the second group of passageways 17, 17 through openings 26, 26 to the surface of the distribution assembly.

Between first plate 22 and second plate 25 there is interposed a third plate 28 which serves to separate openings 23 from openings 26 in the adjacent plates 22 and 25 except for a region adjacent the surface of distribution assembly 11 where recesses 29 are provided.

After second plate 25, there is provided a fourth plate 31 which is provided with neither openings nor recesses and effectively serves to isolate one first plate 22, one third plate 28 and one second plate 25 from the other similar groups of three plates to follow. After plate 31, the stack continues with plates in the following order in a repetitive pattern: second plate 25, third plate 28, first plate 22, fourth plate 31, first plate 22, third plate 28, second plate 25, fourth plate 31, etc. for whatever number of plates may be desired before reaching end plate 14.

Referring next to FIGURES 3, 4, and 5, there is shown a spinnerette assembly for use in spinning multi-component fibers making use of the spin dope distribution assembly 11 previously described and illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 2. As seen in FIGURE 3, spinnerette assembly 33 generally comprises a housing 34 suitably supported in a conventional style pivot block (not shown) by pivot rod 35. This conventional mounting provides for movement of the spinnerette assembly 33 from a first position wherein the spinnerette is disposed for spinning to a second position wherein it is disposed for bleeding as is well known in the art. Spinnerette assembly 33 also includes a spinnerette 37 which is provided with a plurality of orifices arranged in a plurality of rows and which is removably secured to the spinnerette assembly by means of clamp 38. Clamp 38 includes a picture-framelike retainer 39 which presses spinnerette 37 against housing 34 by means of screw 40.

Within housing 34 (see FIGURES 4 and spin dope distribution assembly 11 is positioned within an appropriately configurated recess. When so positioned, and pressed into place by means of adjusting screw 42 (which is provided with a cap 43), spin dope distribution assembly 11 is positioned with passageways 17, 18, 17, and 18 in registry with passageways 45, 46, 45, and 46. Pressure exerted by adjusting screw 42 compresses O-rings 48 to effectuate a leak-proof seal between the passageways in the housing 34 and the passageways in the distribution assembly 11.

In order to assure accurate alignment of the stacked plates of the distribution assembly 11 with the spinnerette 37, end plates 13 and 14 are provided with holes 50 which unate with corresponding holes in spinnerette 37 and which are adapted to receive alignment pins (not shown) which lie under the retainer 39 of clamp 38, suitably protected by gasket 51. Preferably the alignment is such that each third plate 28 is positioned directly adjacent a corresponding row of orifices in spinnerette 37 such that the center of any third plate 28 and the line connecting the centers of the orifices of its associated row of orifices are substantially coplanar.

In operation, a first spin dope will pass through the spinnerette assembly 33 by following the pathway through passageways 46, passageways 18, openings 23, recesses 29, and through the orifices in spinnerette 37 through a suitable coagulating medium and a second spin dope will pass through passageways 45, passageways 17, openings 26, recesses 29, and the same orifices in spinnerette 37 through the suitable coagulating medium. Where it is desired to produce a bi-component fiber containing a pair of dissimilar materials in a side-by-side relation extending throughout the length of the fiber, the two spin dopes are fed simultaneously to the respective dope pathways by conventional means, such as gear pumps (not shown). Where it is desired to have a bi-component fiber which contains alternating segments of different materials throughout the length thereof, alternating one spin dope and then the other spin dope are fed to the spinnerette assembly 33 by the varying operation of the suitable pumps for each such spin dopes.

Referring next to FIGURE 6, there is shown an exploded view of an alternate form of spin dope assembly utilizing the same types of plates as were used in the spin dope distribution assembly 11 previously described. It will be noted that in this assembly, the same end plates 13 and 14 are used as well as using a plurality of first plates 22, second plates 25, and third plates 28. However, this arrangement differs from the arrangement of FIGURE 2 in that no fourth plates are used and the remainder of the plates are arranged in a different sequence. As shown in FIGURE 6, after end plate 13, the sequence of plates utilized is as follows: a first plate 22, a third plate 28, a second plate 25, a third plate 28, a first plate 22, a third plate 28, a second plate 25, a third plate 28, etc.

This spinnerette assembly is useful for spinning multicomponent fibers from any of the known spin dopes, such as-nylon, rayon, acrylics, polyesters, polyvinyl compounds, glass, etc. whether produced by wet-spinning, dry-spinning, or melt-spinning and of course, depending upon the nature of the specific spin dopes being used and the specific coagulating medium involved, suitable materials of construction must be selected as is well known in the art.

While the foregoing description has been of specific illustrative embodiments presently preferred for the construction of the apparatus of this invention, obviously, numerous modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art following the teachings of this invention. It is intended that all such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of the present invention.

Illustrative of such modifications might be mentioned the following: alterations of the shapes of openings 23 and 26, utilization of only a single passageway 17 and a single passageway 18 extending through the stack, securing the plurality of plates in the distribution assembly 11 together by soldering, welding, brazing, etc. in place of bolts 15, or even injection molding the plates in the stack as a unitary structure in a suitably configurated mold.

Also, while each plate has been shown as made from a single sheet of material, it is obvious that a plate may be made from a plurality of thinner sheets stacked together to provide the desired thickness. While the spinnerette orifices have been illustrated as being disposed in rows which are parallel and equidistant, such is not necessary since wedge-shaped plates can be used with nonparallel rows of orifices and various thicknesses of plates can be used with spinnerettes whose rows of orifices are not equidistant.

We claim:

1. A spinnerette assembly comprising:

(a) a spinnerette having a plurality of orifices disposed in a plurality of parallel rows in the face thereof,

(b) a spin dope distribution assembly mounted adjacent said spinnerette comprising a plurality of plates secured together to form a stack, such stack includmg:

(1) a plurality of first plates having openings communicating from a first spin dope passageway to first regions immediately adjacent said spinnerette,

(2) a plurality of second plates having openings communicating from a second spin dope passageway to second regions immediately adja cent said spinnerette, and

(3) a plurality of third plates interposed between each such first plate and its neighboring such second plate to isolate the aforesaid openings from each other and to provide communication between each such first region and each such second region immediately adjacent said spinnerette; and

(c) support means for mounting said spinnerette and said spin dope distribution assembly with each of said third plates aligned with a corresponding row of orifices in said spinnerette and with each of rows of orifices located between a pair of adjacent first and second regions.

2. A spinnerette assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said spin dope distribution assembly comprises a plurality of repeating units of (a) a first plate, (b) a third plate, (c) a second plate, and (d) a third plate.

3. A spinnerette assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said spin dope distribution assembly includes a plurality of fourth plates between each adjacent pair of first plates and between each adjacent pair of second plates to effectively separate each pair of adjacent openings in any pair of like plates from each other.

4. A spinnerette assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said spin dope distribution assembly comprises a plurality of repeating units of (a) a first plate, (b) a third plate, (0) a second plate, (d) a fourth plate, (e) a second plate, (f a third plate, (g) a first plate, and (h) a fourth plate.

5. A spinnerette assembly as defined in claim 1 including mating holes in said spinnerette and said spin dope distribution assembly and pin means inserted in such mating holes to ensure proper alignment of said rows of spinnerette orifices and said third plates in said spin dope distribution assembly.

6. A spinnerette assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said plates comprising said spin dope distribution assembly are secured together by bolts extending between end plates in said stack.

7. A spinnerette assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said plates comprising said spin dope distribution assembly are secured together by being molded as a unitary structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,031,387 2/1936 Schwarz 18-8 3,017,686 1/1962 Breen et a1 l88 X WILLIAM J, STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner 

1. A SPINNERETTE ASSEMBLY COMPROSING (A) A SPINNERETTE HAVING A PLURALITY OF ORIFICES DISPOSED IN A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL ROWS IN THE FACE THEREOF, (B) A SPIN DOPE DISTRIBUTION ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID SPINNERETTE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PLATES SECURED TOGETHER TO FORM A STACK, SUCH STACK INCLUDING: (1) A PLURALITY OF FIRST PLATES HAVING OPENINGS COMMUNICATING FROM A FIRST SPIN DOPE PASSAGEWAY TO FIRST REGIONS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID SPINNERETTE, (2) A PLURALITY OF SECOND PLATES HAVING OPENINGS COMMUNICATING FROM A SECOND SPIN DOPE PASSAGEWAY TO SECOND REGIONS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID SPINNERETTE, AND (3) A PLURALITY OF THIRD PLATES INTERPOSED BETWEEN EACH SUCH FIRST PLATE AND ITS NEIGHBORING SUCH SECOND PLATE TO ISOLATE THE AFORESAID OPENINGS FROM EACH OTHER AND TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EACH SUCH FIRST REGION AND EACH SUCH SECOND REGION IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID SPINNERETTE; AND (C) SUPPORT MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID SPINNERETTE AND SAID SPIN DOPE DISTRIBUTION ASSEMBLY WITH EACH OF SAID THIRD PLATES ALIGNED WITH A CORRESPONDING ROW OF ORIFICES IN SAID SPINNERETTE AND WITH EACH OF ROWS OF ORIFICES LOCATED BETWEEN A PAIR OF ADJACENT FIRST AND SECOND REGIONS. 